Donovan Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell Jr. (born September 7, 1996), often referred to by his nickname “Spida,” is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) with a powerful 215-pound (98 kg) frame and an elite 6-foot-10 wingspan, Mitchell is considered one of the most prolific and dynamic scoring guards in modern basketball.

A seven-time NBA All-Star (2020–2026) and with a 2025 All-NBA First Team selection, Mitchell has established himself as a perennial cornerstone for every franchise he has represented. After spending his first five seasons as the face of the Utah Jazz, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2022. He has since set numerous franchise records, including a historic 71-point performance.

 

Early Life and Family

Donovan Mitchell was born in Elmsford, New York, to Donovan Mitchell Sr. and Nicole Mitchell. His father has served as a longtime executive for the New York Mets, which deeply influenced Donovan’s early athletic pursuits. Growing up, Mitchell was a two-sport standout, often favoring baseball over basketball; he frequently spent time in Major League locker rooms, which he credits for his professional demeanor and comfort in the spotlight.

His mother, a dedicated educator, placed a high premium on academic achievement, a value Mitchell continues to champion through his philanthropic work. He shares a close bond with his younger sister, Jordan, who is often seen supporting him at games. Mitchell’s “Spider” nickname originated in his youth, given to him by a teammate’s father because of his long arms and ability to “get into passing lanes like a spider”.

High School Career

Mitchell attended Canterbury School in Connecticut for his first two years of high school before transferring to the prestigious Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. At Brewster, he focused solely on basketball after a wrist injury ended his baseball aspirations.

Under the national spotlight at Brewster, Mitchell became a top-tier recruit. As a senior, he averaged 14.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, leading the team to a 34–1 record and their second consecutive National Prep Championship. He was a consensus top-30 recruit and was selected to play in the Jordan Brand Classic, where he was named the MVP of the regional game after scoring 30 points. Despite heavy interest from Villanova and Kansas, Mitchell committed to the University of Louisville.

College Career (2015–2017)

Mitchell played two seasons at Louisville under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino.

• Freshman Season (2015–2016): Mitchell primarily played a supporting role, averaging 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. He showed glimpses of his explosive athleticism, making several “Top 10” highlight reels with his dunking ability.
• Sophomore Season (2016–2017): Mitchell took a massive leap, becoming the focal point of the Cardinals’ offense. He averaged 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while leading the ACC in steals (2.1 per game).

He was named to the All-ACC First Team and the ACC All-Defensive Team. Initially considering a return for his junior year, Mitchell was encouraged by NBA stars Chris Paul and Paul George to enter the draft after a standout performance at the NBA Draft Combine.

NBA Career

 

Utah Jazz (2017–2022)

 

Mitchell was selected 13th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets but was immediately traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Trey Lyles and the 24th pick. He enjoyed one of the greatest rookie seasons in NBA history, averaging 20.5 points and winning the 2018 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He finished second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons.

During his five seasons in Utah, Mitchell led the Jazz to the playoffs every year. In the 2020 NBA Bubble, he famously averaged 36.3 points per game in a first-round series against the Nuggets, including two games of 50+ points. By 2021, he had led Utah to the best record in the NBA.

Cleveland Cavaliers (2022–present)

On September 1, 2022, Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a blockbuster deal. His arrival immediately transformed the franchise. On January 2, 2023, Mitchell scored a career-high 71 points against the Chicago Bulls, at the time, the highest single-game total by any player since Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game in 2006.

In the 2024-25 season, Mitchell led the Cavaliers to the best record in the Eastern Conference, earning him his first All-NBA First Team selection.

2025–2026 Season

As of February 2026, Mitchell is in the midst of another MVP-caliber campaign. He is currently averaging 28.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting a career-high 48.5% from the field.

Mitchell was recently named as a reserve for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, marking his seventh consecutive selection. In his most recent performance on February 9, 2026, he led the Cavaliers to a 119–117 victory over the Denver Nuggets, recording 32 points and 10 assists. Over his last five games, he is averaging 25.2 points, demonstrating his elite consistency as Cleveland battles for the top seed in the East.

National Team Career

Mitchell has been a key figure for Team USA since his professional debut. He was the leading scorer for the squad at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Though he was not on the 2024 Olympic roster, he remains a vital part of the program’s future plans for the 2027 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Philanthropy and Community Impact

Deeply influenced by his mother’s career in education, Mitchell is one of the NBA’s most active philanthropists.

• SPIDACARES: His foundation provides scholarships and grants to students in underserved communities, focusing on “widening the lens” for youth of color to see career paths beyond sports.
• Louisville Donation: In 2020, he pledged $12 million to the University of Louisville, the largest single donation by an alumnus in the school’s athletic history, to fund scholarships and a new training facility.
• Social Justice: Mitchell was a vocal leader in the NBA’s social justice movements, notably advocating for the families of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.

Career Highlights and Records

• 7× NBA All-Star (2020–2026)
• All-NBA First Team (2025)
• All-NBA Second Team (2023)
• NBA Slam Dunk Contest Champion (2018)
• Cavaliers Franchise Record: 71 points in a single game
• Jazz Franchise Record: Most three-pointers in a single season

Personal Life

Mitchell resides in the Cleveland area and remains an avid fan of the New York Mets. He is a noted sneaker enthusiast, with his signature Adidas D.O.N. Issue line being one of the brand’s top-selling basketball shoes. Outside of basketball, he enjoys music production and has expressed interest in pursuing a broadcasting degree following his playing career.

 

Relationship with Coco Jones

Beyond his dominance on the court, Donovan Mitchell’s personal life took center stage in July 2025 when he announced his engagement to Grammy-winning singer and actress Coco Jones. After nearly two years of dating privately, the couple shared a romantic video of Mitchell proposing at a tropical resort, sparking widespread celebration across the sports and entertainment worlds.

The pair has since become one of the most prominent “power couples” in the industry, with Mitchell frequently supporting Jones during her “Why Not More?” tour and Jones becoming a regular courtside fixture at Cleveland Cavaliers games. Most recently, on February 8, 2026, Mitchell was seen proudly supporting his fiancée as she performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before kickoff at Super Bowl LX. Mitchell has often described Jones as his “biggest cheerleader” and a “source of peace,” citing their shared work ethic and demanding careers as the foundation of their strong partnership.